Westenburg family’s struggle for ownership of RDP house
The house was awarded to them by the ward councillor, Sabeer Kalla who at the time liaised with the Department of Human Settlements who, according to Kalla, found the family an abandoned house.
POLOKWANE – The Dagama family in Westenburg is unable to apply for a municipal indigent help seemingly because the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) house they have been living in for 17 years does not belong to them.
The Polokwane Municipality recently urged those who qualify to heed the annual call to reapply in July.
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The house was awarded to them by the ward councillor, Sabeer Kalla who at the time liaised with the Department of Human Settlements who, according to Kalla, found the family an abandoned house.
The inability to pay rates and taxes has seen this family of seven’s electricity be disconnected since April. They depend on two social grants and their only employed daughter, for financial support.
“They told us to pay 20% of both the owners’ bill which is around R7 000 and ours, costing R1 200, although we really tried keeping our bills up to date,” says their youngest daughter, Eden Dagama.
Their biggest frustration with living without electricity is the five-year-old Kashmira Dagama who battles with epileptic seizures.
“Not having electricity affects her diet as she eats different food to us. Her food needs to be cooked accordingly,” Eden mentioned.
They now depend on firewood to cook Kashmira’s special food and meals for the rest of the family.
Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala has since liaised with the family, advising them to visit the municipality’s revenue office.
“Here, they can apply for indigent grants. If approved, the debt will be written off. They must also approach Coghsta to change ownership of the house,” he said.
